Maha Maamoun

Maha Maamoun is an Egyptian visual artist and curator whose work focuses on the intersections of popular media, image culture, and social narratives, particularly within the context of contemporary Egypt. Born in 1972, Maamoun is known for her thoughtful exploration of how collective memory, urban life, and national identity are shaped through visual culture, such as cinema, television, and photography. Her practice spans video, photography, and installation, often engaging with the ways that public imagery reflects and constructs social realities.One of Maamoun’s most notable works is her video Domestic Tourism II (2005), which presents a recontextualization of iconic images of the Pyramids of Giza, as they appear in Egyptian films. By focusing on how these symbols are used in everyday cultural representations, she invites viewers to reflect on how iconic landmarks are mediated through various lenses and narratives. This piece exemplifies her interest in examining the distance between historical monuments and their representations in popular media, revealing the layered meanings that such imagery carries within contemporary life.As a curator, Maamoun plays an important role in fostering the contemporary art scene in Cairo and beyond. She is a co-founder of the Contemporary Image Collective (CIC), an independent nonprofit art space in Cairo that supports visual artists and critical engagement with image-based work. CIC serves as both a platform for emerging artists and a space for experimental projects that engage with issues of social relevance, often focusing on photography, film, and new media. Through her curatorial work, Maamoun has been instrumental in creating dialogue around visual culture and supporting the development of critical artistic practices in Egypt.Her curatorial efforts and artistic practice are often intertwined, reflecting a broader interest in how images function within society—both as tools of documentation and as objects of interpretation. By addressing themes such as national identity, collective memory, and the ways in which public and private spheres intersect, Maamoun challenges the viewer to reconsider the role that visual culture plays in shaping perceptions of history and contemporary life.Maha Maamoun’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at prestigious venues such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Venice Biennale, and the Berlin International Film Festival. Her dual roles as artist and curator allow her to contribute to both the creation and critical examination of visual culture, making her a key figure in contemporary Middle Eastern art. Through her insightful practice, Maamoun continues to provoke thought and foster conversations around the power and politics of images in shaping social narratives.